By R.J. GRUBB
STAFF WRITER

When only 13 percent of the town's registered voters bothered to vote last Saturday, it signaled an acute case of local apathy. And one man wants to do something about it.

Following election day, candidate Daryn Marsh, who lost to incumbent Bob Cain by only grabbing 432 votes to Cain's 1,022, issued himself a challenge.

"My goal over the next year is to see what can happen in people's lives when they get excited that a voice matters and realize that they can make a difference," Marsh said.

"That's my only disappointment in the election," he continued. "There's so many registered voters in Wilmington, but apathy has set in and taken over. It's disappointing and I hope it isn't that people just like to complain."

To be sure, like Marsh, residents concur that apathy has wedged a place in their everyday lives.

"I'm ashamed that I didn't vote and didn't exercise my freedom to choose," admitted local artist Hinda Paquette. "But apathy has set into my soul regarding the ineffectuality of the political machine in town."

Of course, for Bob Cain, turnout wasn't so bad.

"For me, it was a great turnout," he said. "Because my people came out and voted."

Still, Cain only garnered 1,220 votes out of the 14,286 registered voters.

Plus, besides apathy, another factor played a role on election day. According to Town Clerk Kay Scanlon the lack of competition affected turnout too.

"Unless there's a lot of contested seats, there's usually a low turnout," Scanlon said.

In fact, for Scanlon, the dismal turnout was rather normal.

"Last year, we only a 12 percent turnout, so this wasn't anything unusual."

Though voter apathy may not be anything new, it's inspired Marsh to work for change.

"At least make your voice known," he encouraged. "Voting gives us the opportunity to speak our minds. I hope people will learn from this."

To get things started, Marsh has set-up an email address at [email protected].

"I want to hear from the other 87 percent of registered voters that did not vote and find out why they didn't and what can be done to get them to take the time to cast their ballot. My goal for this year is to help address the issues in regards to this low turnout and I want to hear reasons and ideas to get a higher turnout next time.

"I hope people can realize that they can make a difference and that one person can have an impact to sway a vote."